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Paul Kovac	See if you can Stump the Ump... E-mail questions to Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire. Please note: Questions which have answers that are easily found by consulting the rules may not merit a reply.

Q: A player uses the table to regain balance after making (not during) an off-balance aggressive stroke. The table doesn't move but the player's momentum results in their free hand placed on the table to brace for support.

Question #1: Is this an infraction of the rules if this occurs during a rally when the ball is returnable?
Question #2: Is this an infraction of the rules if this occurs after a rally-ending kill shot?

- submitted by Dick Olson.

A: The answer is yes to both your questions. When the ball is in play the player must not touch the table with his/her free hand.

- answered by Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire